Hi, I’d like to introduce myself to all you friends of Annie. I have an admission to make. I’m Michele, and I’m an undomestic goddess.

I’m a smart, driven, competent person, but truly, I am a terrible ironer. And cleaner. And my desk is a mess. I cook well, and I sometimes hang out the washing, but really, I’m just a crap domestic goddess.

I went to the doctors with my eleven month old a while ago (he’s fine, I just like to be able to say, yes we’ve been to the doctors, when other mothers comment on his cough, or weight or whatever) and there in front of me was the perfect inspiration for this blog. Someone must have had a whole bunch of time up their sleeve and put it to good use. A stack of fliers for iron supplements sat next to me and on each and every one, someone had added an ‘ing’ to iron. So the by-line read:

‘Life is busy and you might find you’re feeling a little off colour. The solution might be very simple. Thousands of women don’t get enough ironing.’

Genius.

I sympathise with Michaela – the heroine in my debut romance The Boss and Her Billionaire. She’s spent six years on a cruise ship having people cook for her, clean for her, even press her uniform for her. I think if we ever met over a cocktail or two we’d both bemoan the need for ironing of any sort. Okay, maybe I don’t sympathise with her, maybe I envy her ability to revel in her undomestic goddessness. But when it all ends she’s gotta do dishes just like the rest of us.

It would be hard I think, to reintegrate into the ‘world’ after being in such a cosseted job for such a long time. And there’s plenty about it that fills Michaela with terror. But then she’s not one to let a little terror get in the way of getting what she wants.

I guess that makes her a lot like me. I’m not afraid of the rolled eyes and sighs from my husband when he sees that I still haven’t done the dishes. Because I know if I leave them, just for a minute longer, I’ll finish that sentence. And the next. And then I’ll have a shiny new book which is of course, just what I want.

How about you? Do you manage it all? Well groomed children, sparkling home? If you do – perhaps you could give me some pointers.

I love hearing from readers so I’d love you to get in touch. You can find me on

Cruise director Michaela Western has everything she wants—everything except a sex life. But there are no secrets on cruise ships. She risked her job once for a dalliance with the Captain, and won’t do it again for a few minutes of toe-curling pleasure. Until a devilishly handsome new staffer with a body made for sin tempts her to walk on the wild side...

Investment billionaire Dylan Johns always gets what he wants. He is used to giving orders—not taking them—until he’s forced to go on hiatus from his investment company. To bide his time and carry out an old dream, he takes a job on a cruise ship—and ends up taking orders from his gorgeous, but uptight, new boss. He is determined to loosen her up with a fun onboard romance, but their no-strings fling turns serious and Dylan is forced to confess his lies.

When the affair threatens to shatter Michaela’s own career dreams, she finds herself caught between the devil and the deep blue sea.

Hi Michele! I get giddy when my house is clean - usually it only stays that way one day a week. As long as everyone has clean clothes I feel like I'm ahead of the game :-) If I set low expectations my family tends to get excited over the little things I do accomplish.

Hi Rita,
Thanks for stopping by! Yes, clean clothes are usually all I need to feel calm about my domestic zone. And I quite like a clean kitchen. Just clean, not sparkling. Low expectation is definitely the way the truth and the...clean light?

Hi Michelle. Loved your book!
I too despise housework and ironing? Forget it - that's a rare event for me! Its amazing how clever hanging up and dryer use almost completely eliminates the need to iron. Plus refusing to buy clothes that need ironing. That's my top priority when clothes shopping. If you cant throw it in a bag and pull it out the other end without any creases - it doesn't get bought. Simple!
I too would much rather be writing :-)

Hi Amy,
So glad you liked the book. Looking forward to reading yours, it's steaming on my ipad ready and waiting. I didn't actually own an iron until I met my husband. He went and bought his own. Mwahahaha. Totally with you on the smart clothes shopping.
x

Hi Annie! Hi Michele! I *used* to be a domestic dream around my house - until I started writing. Then everything got shoved into the corner, or under the bed, or into the closet... And ironing? Forget it. I usually put wrinkles in instead of taking them out. Yeah, that takes talent. :)

Congrats on the success of The Boss and her Billionaire! I'm looking forward to reading it!

Hi Robin,
Yes, that iron that my hubby bought - I've cunningly been "so bad at ironing that you're better to do it yourself"... Hehehe.
x

Reply

Hayson Manning

8/28/2012 05:05:17 am

I have to confess that I outsourced the cleaning. Life's too short to worry about the floor, creases or donning a hazmat suit to clean the boys bathroom. I don't see my husband rushing to get the broom out. Actually I don't think he'd know where it is!

Perfect. Outsourcing is such a great way to put it. I have to be fair, my hubby does know where the broom is. In fact he's been the one to buy the vacuum and iron and he knows how to use them. On occasion... ;-)

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Annie Seaton

Annie loves sharing her writing chair with special guests! If you'd like a turn...please email her! annieseaton26@gmail.com